David Platt. What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me? Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. 64 pp. $0.99.
David Platt has done an excellent job of spelling out the gospel in a new booklet entitled What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me. This booklet is short, direct, and clear. Platt opens the reader’s eyes to the content of the gospel as well as its ramifications. He talks about more than forgiveness. He also talks about repentance, discipleship, and evangelism.
This booklet is more than a tract, but less than a book. It can be read quickly. It is inexpensive enough to be given away. It is a helpful resource that any believer who wants to share his or her faith could benefit from having available.
I received a free audio copy of this booklet from ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. This booklet was well-read and easy-to-listen-to.
Crazy Busy – A Review
Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy: A mercifully Short Book about a Really Big Problem. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 128 pp. $10.57.
Busyness is a common thread in our modern lives. It seems to strangle our priorities and rob us of joy. Kevin DeYoung understands, and has written a very solid little book to help us think through the causes of our busyness and respond rightly.
DeYoung’s little work is, as the title indicates, mercifully short. This is a great feature for a book aimed at people who already don’t think they have enough time.
DeYoung’s book is also biblically practical. This book is not another modern peek at time-management. It is not a new way to apply the GTD strategy. Neither is it a theological treatise on work with no practical advice. DeYoung balances solid theology, Scriptural insight ,and sensible counsel.
I was particularly fond of DeYoung’S strategy. He showed us several sinful causes for our feelings of busyness. Then, he also reminded us that it is not necessarily a sin to be very busy. Finally, he concluded with the wisest possible counsel here, that keeping Christ at the center of our lives and priorities will help us respond rightly to the demands of our lives.
I would recommend Crazy Busy to just about anybody. The book is sweetly readable and solidly helpful. Pastors, moms, dads, and even busy retirees could benefit from a few hours spent in DeYoung’s work.
I received a copy of this work to review from ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. The audio version of this book is well-read, maintaining the high standards that I have come to expect from Christian Audio.
Wrestling with the Devil – A Review
Lex Luger and John D. Hollis. Wrestling with the Devil: The True Story of a World Champion Professional Wrestler – His Reign, Ruin, and Redemption. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2013. 248 pp. $16.28.
Lex Luger is a name that every wrestling fan of the 1980s and 90s immediately recognizes. Yet his personal story is not one that is familiar. In Wrestling with the Devil, the former professional wrestling world champion tells his own amazing story. Luger opens up about his childhood, his college and pro football days, his marriage, his wrestling career, his fame, his drug and alcohol abuse, his affairs, his divorce, his time spent in jail, his miraculous salvation, and his devastating paralysis.
I have to say that I did not expect to read a good book when Christian Audio sent me this one to review. However, as a former wrestling fan, I could not resist giving the book a listen. What I learned fascinated me. Luger and Hollis spin a fascinating tale of fame, pain, and redemption. Luger is honest about the depts. To which he sank in his life, but the book never crosses the line into the crude. Luger and Hollis manage to tell Lex’s story in a way that lets readers know what happened without taking us down unwholesome paths in the process.
I’ll also add that Luger offers a sweet and clear presentation of the gospel in this work. His own salvation testimony involves a persistent jailhouse chaplain who cared enough about him to become Luger’s friend. It is an inspiring reminder that one of the most powerful things a Christian can do to help another hear the gospel is simply to form a genuine friendship and love someone enough to tell them the truth.
If you are a wrestling fan, there is enough insider info in this book to make it worth the read. If you are a Christian, you will likely find Lex’s story inspiring, especially as you see the heart that God has put into a man who can no longer do the things he used to be able to do because of a major spinal injury (thankfully, the book declares that Lex is making progress in his recovery). If you are an athlete, you will be challenged not to fall into the traps that Luger fell into.
No, Wrestling with the Devil is not a giant literary accomplishment—it was not intended to be. However, it is a story worth the read. I know that I am very glad to have received it, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Lex’s story.
I received a free copy of this work from ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. This work, like all the others I have heard from Christian Audio, sounds great and is very well-read.
Beeke, Friends and Lovers – A Review
Joel R. Beeke. Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage. Adelphi, MD: Cruciform Press, 2012. 108 pp. $8.45.
Do we really need another marriage book in our Christian subculture? Given what I see from day-to-day as a pastor and counselor, yes, we do. In Friends and Lovers, Dr. Joel R. Beeke takes a swing at a short, sweet, and simple treatment of introducing married couples to important truths (which is exactly what we need). And, in case you are wondering, Beeke mostly succeeds.
Positives
Dr. Beeke begins his work with a few chapters, not on sex, nor on the psychological differences between men and women, but simply with the topic of marital friendship. The point of the author is simply that couples who wish to grow deep in their marriage need to learn how, remember how, and practice how to be friends. We need to like each other, and we need to express that emotion. We need to treat each other like we treat good friends, and we will be surprised to see how far that will take us.
Another positive of this work is Beeke’s willingness to address sexual issues, but not to ever take his readers too far. It seems that a popular Christian trend in marriage teaching is to leap off a cliff into very graphic and sensual discussion of topics that might not be best read by others. Rather than giving a list of what to do and what not to do, or perhaps what is Ok and what is not OK, Beeke simply calls people to love each other, to think of others first, to not degrade each other, and to be decent.
In chapter 10, Dr. Beeke does an excellent job of helping his readers to think through the need for repentance and healing in the way that we sometimes think of our sexuality inside marriage. The author points out that many couples come to the marriage bed with guilt that lingers due to past sin. Beeke then reminds us of the promise in 1 John 1:9 of God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Such promises of mercy are very helpful to Christians who struggle with lingering guilt-feelings, and Beeke’s choice to include a chapter on this topic is very wise.
In general, the structure of this book, like all of those from Cruciform Press, is a positive. This publisher is committed to producing short, theologically-solid, and powerful books. The fact that this book is not a giant how-to manual, but is rather a little book that you can read in a couple of days is a solid mark in the plus column. The truth is, a marriage book that nobody will read is not very helpful. The size of this work makes it readable, and that is good.
Negatives.
While I am fond of Beeke’s work, I will mention a couple of points that I found to be less positive. First, I would have preferred that Beeke choose a more modern Bible translation. It felt very awkward to find this book full of King James English every time a Bible verse found its way into the text. While I understand that there is nothing wrong with using KJV or other old translations like the ASV, I fear that the old-sounding phraseology in the middle of a modern book will not help the young Christian who is attempting to use Beeke’s book to help his marriage. I will likely be less apt to recommend this book to certain readers, especially guys who do not like to read, because of the Bible translation choice alone.
Second, I found that Beeke takes a couple of pretty hard swings at establishing a case for large families and limiting birth control. The author does not have the space to make his argument for large families in this small work. At the same time, he does not either have the space to refute other, valid arguments against his position. I would have preferred this section simply not be in the book, as it will do more to hinder readers who disagree with Beeke than it will to help establish his point.
Finally, the book reads like a sermon or lecture. This is, of course, because the book is adapted from two lectures that Dr. Beeke gave. This is not a large problem, but I did find myself thinking about it as I read, so I mention it here.
Recommendation
I would, without hesitation, recommend Dr. Beeke’s book to married couples. I think that the positives far outweigh any problems that I found in the text. The brevity of the work combined with the valuable insights therein make this book a solid addition to any married Christian’s library.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cruciform Press blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I Am a Church Member – A Review
Thom S. Rainer. I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference. Nashville: B&H Books, 2013. 96 pp. $8.99.
In I Am a Church Member, Thom Rainer presents six major attitudes that help church members become what God has called them to be. This short work is easy-to-read, powerfully challenging, and on-point as it calls for Christians to make solid commitments to the local church and her leadership.
Readers who take Rainer’s call seriously will be challenged to change their attitudes toward the church. The author reminds us that the Bible calls us to be self-sacrificial toward those in our church family, not to seek our own good ahead of others (cf. Philippians 2:1-4). The book also challenges Christians to commit themselves to work toward church unity, to pray for their leaders, and to basically change their understanding of church from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?”
The only weaknesses that I spotted in a swift read through this short work involved principles that Rainer brought forth, but did not have time to explain in the kind of detail that such important issues may require. For example, in the chapter on unity, Rainer calls on church members to be forgiving for the sake of unity. However, Rainer does not have the space to really dig deep into the nuances of when forgiveness is required and when, as Chris Brauns presents in Unpacking Forgiveness, it may be impossible to complete. However, this criticism on my part is hardly fair since Brauns took over two-hundred pages to dig into this important issue. However, it is worth pointing out that someone who is really wrestling with forgiveness relating to deep hurts and complex issues might find the few paragraphs on forgiveness as very unsatisfying.
With that tiny criticism noted, I would highly recommend I Am a Church Member to any pastor, church member, or potential church member. This book would be a great part of any church’s new member class. Rainer has done an excellent job of calling Christians to take their commitment to the church seriously.
Next Generation Leader – A Review
Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader: 5 Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2006. 176 pp. $16.08.
Andy Stanley is at his best when he is helping leaders know how to lead. This is why Next Generation Leader has so much to offer. In this simple work, Stanley shares five important principles of leadership that he has gathered over his years of, well, leading.
The strength of the book comes in its simple, straight-forward, and encouraging counsel on how to lead. For example, Stanley reminds us that, as leaders, it is wise for us to spend our time doing what we are naturally shaped and gifted to do. We dramatically do ourselves harm as leaders when we focus our energies on doing things that we dislike and are not good at. While such tasks are destined to be part of our work, we should find ways to minimize our time spent on tasks that drain us rather than fulfill us. This also means we must find ways to delegate the tasks that do not fit us to others who enjoy what we do not.
One more example that I will share is Stanley’s reminder that coaching is crucial for the development of any leader. If you are going to grow in your role as a leader, you need to have someone who can see what you do and offer suggestions and encouragement. A coach does not have to be somebody who can do what you are trying to do. A coach merely needs to be an observant, honest, and helpful person who is willing to invest in you.
Stanley occasionally uses biblical passages, generally Old Testament narrative, to illustrate the principles of leadership that he is attempting to share. This, to me, is the weakest point of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I am a pastor, and I love the Bible with all my heart. However, I do not think that the use of biblical illustrations actually strengthens Stanley’s points. He is not using the passages in their original context to teach their original intent. I would prefer to simply have Stanley teach these true principles with modern-day life examples rather than stretching the biblical text to fit a modern leadership paradigm.
I would happily recommend Next Generation Leader to any person who is interested in studying and growing in the field of leadership. Stanley has much to offer in this work, and we can all glean some great insights from what he has put together.
I received a free audio copy of this work as a part of the reviewers program of ChristianAudio.com. The narration of this book was perfect for the topic. It was engaging and never dull.
Taking God Seriously – A Review
J. I. Packer. Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 176 pp. $8.09.
J. I. Packer is well-known and well-respected as a theologian. Thus, when he chooses to write, addressing issues of the modern church, he is worth reading. Packer’s work is rich in doctrine, at times deep, and often convicting.
Packer’s work shows his deep concern for the state of the church, especially in the west. Through a series of chapters (that were apparently once separate papers or addresses), Packer challenges Christians to take faith, doctrine, Christian unity, repentance, the church, the Holy Spirit, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper seriously. These chapters are deep, serious, and thoughtful.
Readers wanting to think about church issues in a fairly deep way will find this book enjoyable. However, not every reader will be fascinated. Packer is part of the Anglican Church, and his book is clearly addressed to his denomination and its specific struggles. There are things that Packer will put forward which participants from other Christian denominations will disagree with.
Besides the general solid thinking in this work, Taking God Seriously contains some important thoughts from Packer regarding the Anglican Church’s struggle over the issue of homosexuality. Packer sounds a Scriptural call for his denomination to cling tightly to the word of God and not to compromise based on cultural pressures. This, of course, is something that many denominations need to consider.
I would recommend Packer’s work to readers, with the understanding that it is not always an easy read. The thoughts in the book are solid, but the text reads more like a paper than like a popular-level book.
I received a free audio copy of this book from ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. The quality of the recording is up to ChristianAudio’s high standards. However, the reader’s voice may be a bit too soothing.
Communicating for a Change – A Review
Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2006. 208 pp. $13.59.
I probably would not have chosen to read an Andy Stanley book on preaching, but as part of the ChristianAudio.com reviewers program, I took a chance. To be honest, I found exactly what I expected: a well-written book with some very helpful advice, but with a philosophy of preaching with which I do not agree.
Stanley and Jones are effective at writing in a winning style. For the most part, their points are clear and thought-provoking. I think that anyone who regularly communicates publically can find nuggets of wisdom and truth in this book.
However, as a passionate believer in expository preaching, I do not agree with some of the conclusions, recommendations, and statements in Communicating for a Change. I do not recommend a one-point message, or a three-point-message for that matter, but instead believe that we should allow the text of Scripture to communicate exactly as many points as the author of the passage intends. It seems that Stanly and Jones at times caricature preaching styles with which they do not agree, arguing that those who follow other methods are more interested in “teaching the Bible” than “teaching people.” If a reader does not have a strong understanding of the reasoning behind a particular preaching methodology, he or she might too easily assume that Stanley is the only person out there who really wants to see lives changed by the message of the Scriptures.
I would not recommend that most people read Stanley and Jones on the topic of preaching. The only people I would recommend this book to are those who are already solidly grounded in preaching who might find helpful advice. I would not want to see someone build their philosophy of preaching based on this book.
I was given a free audio copy of this book to review as a part of ChristianAudio.com’s reviewers program. The book is very well-read, and the recording quality is excellent.
Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart – A Review
J. D. Greear. Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved. Nashville: B & H books, 2013. 128 pp. $10.39.
In Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart, J. D. Greear offers practical, theologically sound counsel to help his readers truly examine themselves to see whether or not they are in the faith. The title of this book, which could be misleading if you stop at the colon, is intended to bring to mind the sad struggle that many people have of constantly attempting to renew their salvation experience just in case the first one did not take. Greear has touched on a vital issue for today, and he has done so in a winsome and helpful way.
In his book, Greear addresses many common issues that deal with the overall need for assurance of salvation. The author clearly identifies the problem that many Christians have with feeling biblically confident that they are in the kingdom of God as he shares his own past struggles. He clearly explains the gospel, faith, and repentance. The author follows up by dealing with important questions about doubt, falling into sin, and eternal security. The book closes with two important appendices on issues of baptism and justification by faith.
I would heartily recommend this book to individuals who are asking if they are really saved. I would also be very glad to have this book read by those who assume they are saved, but who are relying on old events and not present faith and obedience as the evidence of their salvation.
I received a free audio copy of this book from www.ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. The book is read well and is very easy to listen to.
Tactics – A Review
Gregory Koukl. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 208 pp. $10.19.
How do you go about telling the truth of your Christian convictions without either being harsh and abrasive or having someone run over you in the conversation? How do you ask pointed questions of a person who is raising an invalid point without coming off like a bully yourself? In Tactics, author Greg Koukl gives plain, powerful, and helpful advice for believers who would like to be able to discuss their faith with civility while not allowing the spurious logic of their opponents to derail the conversation.
As Koukl tells us early in the book. Using tactics in discussing your faith is not about winning arguments or making others look bad. This book is not about slick tricks and clever strategies. Instead, Koukl’s book is intended to help believers to use solid logic and reasoning to present the faith in a winsome and solid way. He helps believers to learn how to ask questions that will expose the inconsistencies of the views of others, especially when those inconsistencies should reshape the argument.
Koukl’s book is very easy-to-read. Some books on Christian apologetics—the art of defending the faith—are so dense that the average believer will not wade through them. Koukl writes in an engaging and understandable style with real-life examples to show how his tactics can help. Even his labels for his tactics are not formal philosophical terms. For example, Koukl calls his plan to steer the conversation through the asking of pointed questions “the Columbo method,” bringing to mind the TV detective who always had “just one more question.”
While Koukl’s work contains several examples of logical and biblical reasoning, it is not an apologetics textbook. The author is primarily focused on helping us know how to argue our point logically, not about giving us an encyclopedia of refutations of opponents’ salvos. So, do not assume that picking up this book will give you the ammunition that you need to defeat every argument. What it will do is teach you how to navigate the argument and spot when your interlocutor has violated the rules of sound reason. Yes, many of the examples in this book will give you solid answers to common objections to the faith. These reasons are not, however, the meat of the book.
One final thing that I will mention about this work is that I love the structure of the book. Koukl put this book together in a very logical way, with principles building on principles and with more complex concepts coming after simpler ones. But what I love most is the “What we learned in this chapter” section at the end of each chapter. If you read through this work and then want to review it to see what you may have missed, Koukl has made it possible with this very helpful section at the end of every chapter.
I would recommend Tactics to pastors, Bible study leaders, and any Christian interested in sharing his or her faith. The book is easy enough to read that high school students should have no problem following along. Its concepts are solid enough that even experienced thinkers and debaters will have something to glean. Koukl has done a very good job of helping believers to present the gospel with confidence while working around the false arguments often thrown our way.
Pastor Travis Peterson 